Clemson, Syracuse Climb in Week 3 ACC Power Rankings

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For many teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, Week 2 was a test in overcoming adversity. The Pitt Panthers (2-0) were down 27-6 to the Cincinnati Bearcats (1-1) with under a minute to go in the third quarter. The Virginia Cavaliers (2-0) trailed the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-1) 30-17 in the fourth quarter and had not led at any point in the game. The No. 22 Clemson Tigers (1-1) were utterly humiliated in Week 1 against the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0), and many experts believed the Appalachian State Mountaineers (1-1) were capable of pulling off a Week 2 upset in Death Valley.

But, in the face of adversity, these teams refused to back down from the challenge. After looking lost all game, quarterback Eli Holstein threw 3 touchdown passes on three consecutive drives to lead Pitt to a shocking 28-27 comeback win over Cincinnati. After getting bulldozed all game, the Virginia defense stiffened when it mattered most and gave their offense a chance to drive for the game-winning touchdown in a 31-30 road upset over Wake Forest. And, after one of the weakest offensive performances in recent memory just last week, the Clemson offense exploded against the Mountaineers, going up 56-13 at halftime and setting multiple school records along the way.

From comebacks that fell just short to teams that did not blink in the face of adversity, Week 2 had just about everything. The College Football Dawgs Staff attempted to bring order to the chaos in this week's ACC Power Rankings.

1. Miami Hurricanes (2-0)

Previous ranking: 1

One team that has not faced much adversity thus far in the season is the No. 10 Hurricanes. Miami once again dominated its opponent this week, beating an overmatched Florida A&M Rattlers team 56-9. Quarterback Cam Ward threw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited action. Wide receiver Xavier Restrepo was Ward's favorite target once again with 4 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.

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Former Oregon State standout running back Damien Martinez was only average in Miami's Week 1 matchup against the Florida Gators (1-1), getting 15 carries for just 65 yards and failing to reach the end zone. Martinez looked much more comfortable in this contest, breaking off a 33-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter. It will be important to continue to keep an eye on his performances as he has the talent to make the Miami offense truly unstoppable.

Upcoming game: vs. Ball State (1-0)

2. Louisville Cardinals (2-0)

Previous ranking: 4

The No. 19 Cardinals continued to take care of business with an electric offense, putting up 610 total yards on the overwhelmed Jacksonville State Gamecocks (0-2) in a 49-14 win. Transfer quarterback Tyler Shough continued to impress, going 21-for-33 for 349 yards and 2 touchdowns. The real story of the offense, though, has been the rushing attack. A trio of freshmen—running backs Duke Watson, Keyjuan Brown and Isaac Brown—have burst onto the scene for Louisville and are turning heads early in their time with the program. In all, six different running backs combined for 233 yards and 5 touchdowns in an explosive performance.

Upcoming game: Bye Week

3. Boston College Eagles (2-0)

Previous ranking: 3

After a career-defining win in his first game as head coach, Bill O'Brien and the No. 24 Eagles showed no signs of slowing down in Week 2. Boston College totaled 563 yards of offense against the Duquesne Dukes (0-2) in a merciless 56-0 beatdown. The Eagles continued to rely on a fierce ground attack to move the ball, and six running backs contributed to rush for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns.

While quarterback Thomas Castellanos has played efficient and mistake-free football to this point, he has admittedly not been asked to do much in the passing game. Through two games, he has attemped just 26 total passes. Against a ferocious No. 6 Missouri Tiger defense that has yet to allow a single point this season, Castellanos may have to carry more of the load on offense. Will he be able to step up when called upon?

Upcoming game: at No. 6 Missouri Tigers (2-0)

4. Clemson Tigers (1-1)

Previous ranking: 6

After a disastrous Week 1 performance, many were ready to jump ship early on the No. 22 Tigers. It only took one week for head coach Dabo Swinney to get Clemson back on the right track. The Tigers beat the Appalachian State Mountaineers 66-20 in a game they dominated in every facet from the start. Clemson's offense piled up 712 total yards, 525 of which came in the first half, setting a program record. Quarterback Cade Klubnik, who faced as much heat as anyone for his Week 1 performance, played only one half in this contest and went 24-for-26 with 378 yards passing and 7 total touchdowns.

So, what changed for Clemson? For one, Swinney seemed more willing to play some of the talented freshmen who impressed in spring training but did not have a chance to make an impact in Week 1. Wide receivers Bryant Wesco Jr. and T.J. Moore both proved they are worthy of seeing the field more with impressive performances against the Mountaineers. In general, it seems Swinney was willing to shake things up after his team's Week 1 performance, something he has been hesitant to do for much of his career. His new strategy may just have a chance to save Clemson's season.

Upcoming game: Bye Week

5. Syracuse Orange (2-0)

Previous ranking: 11

After an impressive Week 1 performance against the Ohio Bobcats (1-1), fans were curious how Ohio State transfer quarterback Kyle McCord would perform against a much stiffer test. McCord lived up to the hype, leading Syracuse to a 31-28 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-1) that was more dominant than the final score indicates. McCord went 32-for-46 with 381 yards passing and 4 touchdowns.

Syracuse led 31-14 with under six minutes left in the game before letting the Yellow Jackets mount a comeback. McCord orchestrated a clutch conversion on third-and-10 with under two minutes in the game to ultimately seal the win for the Orange. Syracuse will have to continue to rely on the senior quarterback's leadership to have success as the season progresses.

Upcoming game: Bye Week

ACC Power Rankings: Nos. 6-17

6. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-1)

Previous ranking: 2

Last game: 31-28 loss to Syracuse

Upcoming game: vs. VMI Keydets (0-2)

7. Cal Golden Bears (2-0)

Previous ranking: 7

Last game: 21-14 win over Auburn

Upcoming game: vs. San Diego State (1-1)

8. North Carolina Tar Heels (2-0)

Previous ranking: 10

Last game: 38-20 win over Charlotte

Upcoming game: vs. NC Central (1-1)

9. Pitt Panthers (2-0)

Previous ranking: 8

Last game: 28-27 win over Cincinnati

Upcoming game: vs. West Virginia (1-1)

10. Duke Blue Devils (2-0)

Previous ranking: 12

Last game: 26-20 win in 2 OTs over Northwestern

Upcoming game: vs. UConn (1-1)

11. SMU Mustangs (2-1)

Previous ranking: 5

Last game: 18-15 loss to BYU

Upcoming game: Bye Week

12. NC State Wolfpack (1-1)

Previous ranking: 9

Last game: 51-10 loss to No. 7 Tennessee

Upcoming game: vs. Louisiana Tech (1-0)

13. Virginia Tech Hokies (1-1)

Previous ranking: 14

Last game: 31-14 win over Marshall

Upcoming game: at Old Dominion (0-2)

14. Virginia Cavaliers (2-0)

Previous ranking: 15

Last game: 31-30 win over Wake Forest

Upcoming game: vs. Maryland (1-1)

15. Florida State Seminoles (0-2)

Previous ranking: 16

Last game: Bye Week

Upcoming game: vs. Memphis (2-0)

16. Stanford Cardinal (1-1)

Previous ranking: 17

Last game: 41-7 win over Cal Poly

Upcoming game: Bye Week

17. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-1)

Previous ranking: 13

Last game: 31-30 loss to Virginia

Upcoming game: vs. No. 6 Ole Miss

For the teams that failed to battle through adversity this week, the season is not over. The ACC is more wide open than ever and stacked with talented teams. It will take accountability, however, for teams with an early loss to rebound. It will take strong leadership. And it will take star players rising up and delivering in the moments that matter most.

Will quarterback Haynes King and running back Jamal Haynes be the leaders Georgia Tech needs on offense? Is Kevin Jennings the answer at quarterback for SMU? Only time will tell if these teams and others have what it takes to overcome adversity.